Transportation Benefit District (TBD)

The City of Blaine operates under a balanced budget, and has passed all financial and accountability audits by the state. City services (such as police, planning, economic development, the community center, streets, parks, library, and youth programs) are primarily funded by a tax on some utilities, a sales tax, and a property tax levy. You can find a full copy of the City's 2017 Budget (PDF).

The City has been working with residents and businesses to identify priorities for services and projects as part of a Strategic Economic Initiative completed this year. Learn more about this initiative.Like most cities, the demand for services in Blaine is higher than the revenue available to provide them. The City is limited by law to a one percent revenue increase per year on its property tax levy. It also retains less than one percent of the 8.5% sales tax remitted to the state. This is causing the City to look at different ways to fund the services and projects that local residents want.

Long-term, we need to have a conversation with our community about how to fund large projects like a library and cultural center. Short-term, we are focused on maintaining and improving streets, sidewalks and trail connections. Good transportation links are critical to economic development, which attracts and keeps businesses in Blaine, and welcomes people for shopping and tourism – all of which generate revenue for City services local residents want.

After the City asked, voters approved a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) for this purpose during the April 25, 2017 Special Election. The TBD will be funded for 10 years through two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) sales tax. This will make Blaine's total sales tax rate 8.7%, which is the same as the neighboring communities of Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale. It will generate approximately $200,000 a year for transportation projects and programs, and help the city provide matching funds for grant requests. View a list of priority projects (PDF).

Please let us know if you have any questions about the TBD or would like to be participate in public discussions about what projects should be funded by email. Thank you!

TBD Documents

Resolution 1704-17 (PDF) - Providing for a ballot proposition to be submitted to the qualified electors of the City on April 25, 2017, to impose a two-tenths of one percent (0.002) sales and use tax within the City (formerly the Blaine Transportation Benefit District) for a period of ten years to fund specified transportation improvements, and provide direction to prepare an annual report pursuant to RCW 36.73.160.

Ordinance 17-2899 (PDF) - Assuming the rights, powers, functions and obligations to the City of Blaine Transportation Benefit District by the City of Blaine as allowed by RCW 36.74.

Ordinance 17-2896 (PDF) - Specifying the boundaries for the TBD that will coincide with the City of Blaine, and specifying the projects to be funded by the TBD.

Resolution 1703-17 (PDF) - Setting a public hearing to consider the assumption of the Blaine TBD by the City of Blaine pursuant to RCW 36.74.